My husband works weekends so we did stuff on Friday. I told him I wanted a thoughtful surprise and a day on the couch playing Stardew Valley and knitting. He woke up with baby; they snuck out and came back with breakfast! Then I was escorted to the couch where I was handed my Switch Lite and project bag. I only emerged to put baby down to nap (which I like doing) and to make dinner (which I wanted to do). He got me a “mama” tshirt, teen titans on Blu-ray and an electric yarn winder! The yarn winder was broken upon arrival and he was very embarrassed but we can exchange it!
Yesterday (Sunday) baby slept through the night so we were able to go to church. Everyone was excited to see us! Our church tradition is to give pink carnations to all the women— not just moms. I haven’t been to church since I was a teenager so it was my first time getting one! My aunt and uncle surprised us in the parking lot after church. They got me a beautiful necklace made from a corelle dish in the pattern I grew up with “spring blossom”. Then we saw my nana and gave her a present. A stained glass suncatcher with a cardinal and humming bird. After that we went home just in time for a nap! After nap we had some girl time until it was time to make dinner which was a soft taco bake thing that was ridiculously unhealthy! 😎

Geometry Dash, the iconic rhythm-based platformer, has captured the hearts of millions with its challenging levels, captivating music, and addictive gameplay. As players eagerly anticipate the release of Geometry Dash 2.2, the excitement is palpable. With promises of new features, levels, and enhancements, the upcoming update is poised to redefine the gaming experience.
In this comprehensive guide, we delve into everything you need to know about Geometry Dash 2.2 APK – from its anticipated features to tips for optimizing your gameplay. So, buckle up and get ready to unlock the thrill of Geometry Dash like never before!

Understanding Geometry Dash

Geometry Dash, developed by RobTop Games, is a fast-paced platformer where players navigate through a series of obstacles and challenges while synced to electrifying music. The game's simplistic yet engaging mechanics have made it a global phenomenon, attracting players of all ages.
With each level meticulously designed to test players' reflexes and timing, Geometry Dash offers an exhilarating experience that keeps players coming back for more. From jumping over spikes to avoiding obstacles at lightning speed, every moment in the game is filled with adrenaline-pumping action.

The Evolution of Geometry Dash 2.2 Apk

Since its initial release in 2013, Geometry Dash has undergone several updates, each bringing new levels, features, and enhancements to the game. Version 2.2, the highly anticipated update, promises to take the gameplay experience to new heights with its innovative additions and improvements.
From the introduction of new icons, colors, and effects to the implementation of user-generated content, Geometry Dash 2.2 is poised to offer endless possibilities for players to explore and create. With the ability to customize levels, share creations with friends, and compete in online leaderboards, the game is set to become even more immersive and dynamic.

Geometry Dash 2.2 Version Download & Installation Guide

here's a comprehensive guide to downloading and installing Geometry Dash 2.2:

1. Check Device Compatibility: Before proceeding with the download, ensure that your device meets the minimum system requirements for Geometry Dash 2.2. Typically, the game is compatible with iPhones, iPads, and Android devices.
2. Access the App: Depending on your device's operating system, there are specific steps to access the Geometry Dash 2.2 APK file:
   • For iOS Devices (iPhone or iPad): Visit our website, geometrydash2-2apk.com, to access the APK file for all iOS devices.
   • For Android Devices: You can also find the APK file on geometrydash2-2apk.com.
3. Download Geometry Dash 2.2:
   • On the website, locate the "Install" or "Download" button associated with Geometry Dash 2.2.
   • Tap on the Download button to initiate the download and installation process.
4. Wait for Installation: Depending on your internet speed and device performance, the download and installation may take some time. Exercise patience and allow the process to complete uninterrupted.
5. Launch Geometry Dash:
   • Once the installation is complete, you'll find the Geometry Dash icon either on your home screen (for iOS devices) or in your app drawer (for Android devices).
   • Tap on the icon to launch the game.
6. Enjoy Geometry Dash 2.2: Congratulations! You have successfully downloaded and installed Geometry Dash 2.2 on your device. Now, you're ready to explore the new features and levels introduced in this game update.

To ensure optimal performance and access the latest features, it's recommended to keep your Geometry Dash version updated. Visit geometrydash2-2apk.com regularly to obtain the most recent APK files. Being among the first to experience new releases enhances your gaming adventure. Stay connected with us through geometrydash2-2apk.com for exciting updates and announcements.
By following these steps, you can easily download and install Geometry Dash 2.2 on your device, allowing you to immerse yourself in an enhanced gaming experience. Enjoy the thrilling challenges and exciting gameplay offered by Geometry Dash 2.2!

Exciting Features of Geometry Dash 2.2

1. New Levels: Geometry Dash 2.2 introduces a fresh batch of levels, each more challenging and visually stunning than the last. With unique themes, mechanics, and music tracks, these levels promise to keep players on the edge of their seats as they strive to conquer new obstacles and achieve high scores.
2. Customization Options: One of the most anticipated features of Geometry Dash 2.2 is the expanded customization options. From customizing icons and colors to creating your own levels from scratch, players now have unprecedented control over their gaming experience. With endless possibilities for creativity, the game encourages players to unleash their imagination and share their creations with the world.
3. User-Generated Content: Geometry Dash 2.2 embraces the power of user-generated content, allowing players to create and share their own levels with the community. Whether you're a seasoned level designer or a novice looking to try your hand at creating challenges, the game provides intuitive tools and resources to bring your ideas to life. With the ability to upload and download custom levels, players can enjoy a virtually limitless supply of content created by their peers.
4. Online Features: In addition to offline gameplay, Geometry Dash 2.2 introduces exciting online features that enhance the social aspect of the game. From online leaderboards and multiplayer modes to collaborative level creation, players can connect with friends and compete against rivals from around the world. Whether you're vying for the top spot on the global leaderboard or collaborating with friends to create the ultimate level, the online features add a new dimension of excitement to the game.
5. Enhanced Visuals and Audio: Geometry Dash 2.2 boasts enhanced visuals and audio, immersing players in a vibrant and dynamic gaming environment. From stunning visual effects to pulse-pounding music tracks, every aspect of the game has been meticulously crafted to deliver an unforgettable sensory experience. Whether you're soaring through the air or narrowly avoiding obstacles, the game's audiovisual presentation elevates the gameplay to new heights.

Geometry Dash Vs Geometry Dash Mod 2.2 Apk

Geometry Dash and Geometry Dash Mod 2.2 Apk are two versions of the popular rhythm-based platformer game. The original Geometry Dash offers a challenging gameplay experience with various levels and obstacles to overcome. On the other hand, Geometry Dash Mod 2.2 Apk is a modified version of the game, often offering additional features, levels, or customization options not found in the original release.
While both versions share the same core gameplay mechanics, the modded version allows players to explore new content and possibly enhance their gaming experience with unique features.
Ultimately, the choice between Geometry Dash and Geometry Dash Mod 2.2 Apk comes down to personal preference. Some players may prefer the original game for its simplicity and challenge, while others may enjoy the added content and customization options offered by the modded version.

> Geometry Dash lite 2.2 Apk For Pc (May) 2024

Tips for Optimizing Your Gameplay

1. Master the Basics: Before diving into the new levels and features of Geometry Dash 2.2, it's essential to master the basics of the game. Practice jumping, flying, and timing your movements to navigate through obstacles with precision and finesse. By honing your skills in earlier levels, you'll be better equipped to tackle the challenges that await in the latest update.
2. Experiment with Customization: Take full advantage of the customization options in Geometry Dash 2.2 to personalize your gaming experience. Try out different icons, colors, and effects to find a style that suits your preferences. Don't be afraid to get creative and experiment with custom level creation – you might just discover a hidden talent for design!
3. Stay Updated: With Geometry Dash 2.2 set to release soon, be sure to stay updated on the latest news and announcements from RobTop Games. Follow the official social media channels, forums, and community websites to get the inside scoop on release dates, patch notes, and other important updates. By staying informed, you'll be among the first to experience all the excitement that Geometry Dash 2.2 has to offer.
4. Connect with the Community: Join the vibrant community of Geometry Dash players to share tips, strategies, and experiences with fellow fans. Whether you're seeking advice on conquering a particularly tricky level or looking for inspiration for your next level design, the community is a valuable resource for players of all skill levels. Participate in forums, Discord channels, and online communities to connect with like-minded individuals and forge new friendships along the way.
5. Have Fun: Above all else, remember to have fun with Geometry Dash 2.2! Whether you're aiming for the top of the leaderboards or simply enjoying the thrill of completing a challenging level, the most important thing is to enjoy the experience. Embrace the excitement, embrace the challenges, and embrace the camaraderie of the Geometry Dash community as you embark on this thrilling journey.

> Geometry Dash lite 2.2 Apk For Android (May) 2024

Tips and Tricks for Playing Geometry Dash 2.2 Apk

Here are some tips and tricks for playing Geometry Dash 2.2:

• Practice Makes Perfect: Geometry Dash requires precision and timing. Spend time practicing levels to get the hang of the mechanics and timings.
• Study the Levels: Take time to study the layout of each level. Memorize the patterns of obstacles and traps to anticipate them better.
• Use Practice Mode: Practice Mode allows you to practice specific sections of a level without starting from the beginning each time. Utilize this mode to master difficult parts.
• Customize Your Icons: Experiment with different icons and colors for your character. Finding a combination that suits your preferences can make gameplay more enjoyable.
• Adjust Settings: Customize game settings such as sensitivity and screen size to match your preferences and play style. This can significantly improve your performance.
• Stay Calm: Remaining calm and focused is key to success in Geometry Dash. Don't get frustrated by failures; instead, learn from them and keep trying.
• Listen to the Music: The music in Geometry Dash is not just for ambiance; it often syncs with the level's obstacles and rhythms. Use the music as a cue for when to jump and maneuver.
• Watch Gameplay Videos: Watching skilled players can provide insights into advanced techniques and strategies. Pay attention to their movements and learn from their gameplay.
• Master the Controls: Practice using different control methods (touch, keyboard, mouse) to find the one that works best for you. Mastering the controls is crucial for precise movements.
• Take Breaks: If you find yourself getting frustrated or fatigued, take a short break. Continuing to play while frustrated can lead to more mistakes. A fresh perspective after a break can often lead to better performance.
• Stay Patient: Some levels in Geometry Dash can be extremely challenging. Stay patient and persistent, and remember that mastering difficult levels is part of the game's appeal.
• Don't Rush: While speed is important in some sections, rushing through levels without caution will often lead to failure. Take your time to carefully navigate each obstacle.
• Experiment: Don't be afraid to try different strategies and approaches to levels. What works for one player may not work for another. Find what works best for you.
• Stay Positive: Maintain a positive mindset while playing. Negative thoughts can impede your performance. Believe in your abilities and stay determined to overcome challenges.
• Have Fun: Above all, remember to have fun! Geometry Dash is meant to be an enjoyable experience, so don't let frustration overshadow the enjoyment of the game.

Is Geometry Dash 2.2 Apk Safe?

When it comes to downloading any APK file, including one for Geometry Dash 2.2, safety is always a concern. APK files are essentially executable files for Android applications, and downloading them from sources other than the official Google Play Store can pose risks such as malware or viruses. Therefore, it's crucial to exercise caution and ensure that you're downloading from a reputable source. Look for trusted websites or forums where users share APK files and check for reviews and feedback from other users to gauge the safety of the file.
Moreover, it's worth noting that downloading APK files for apps like Geometry Dash from unofficial sources may also raise legal concerns, as it could potentially violate copyright laws or terms of service. To stay safe and legal, it's generally recommended to download apps only from official app stores like Google Play Store, where apps undergo scrutiny for security and reliability before being made available to users. If you're eager to try out new features or versions of Geometry Dash, it's best to wait for official updates released through legitimate channels.

Conclusion

Geometry Dash 2.2 APK is poised to revolutionize the gaming experience with its innovative features, captivating levels, and endless possibilities for creativity. With new levels to conquer, customization options to explore, and online features to enjoy, the game offers something for players of all ages and skill levels.
Whether you're a seasoned veteran of the series or a newcomer eager to dive into the world of Geometry Dash, now is the perfect time to join the adventure. So, download the APK, sharpen your reflexes, and get ready to unlock the thrill of Geometry Dash like never before!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is Geometry Dash 2.2 APK?
   • Geometry Dash 2.2 APK is the latest version of the popular mobile game Geometry Dash, available for download as an APK file.
2. What are the new features in Geometry Dash 2.2?
   • Some anticipated features of Geometry Dash 2.2 include new levels, icons, game modes, and possibly a level editor.
3. Where can I download Geometry Dash 2.2 APK?
   • Since APK files are not officially released by the game developers, they can be found on various third-party websites. However, downloading APKs from unofficial sources can pose security risks, so proceed with caution.
4. Is Geometry Dash 2.2 APK safe to download?
   • It's important to exercise caution when downloading any APK file from third-party sources, as they may contain malware or other malicious software. It's recommended to only download from reputable sources and consider using antivirus software to scan APK files before installation.
5. How do I install Geometry Dash 2.2 APK?
   • After downloading the APK file, navigate to your device's settings and enable the option to install apps from unknown sources. Then, locate the downloaded APK file and open it to begin the installation process. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
6. Will Geometry Dash 2.2 APK work on my device?
   • Geometry Dash 2.2 APK may work on most Android devices, but compatibility can vary depending on factors such as device specifications and operating system version. It's recommended to check the minimum system requirements for the game before attempting to install it.
7. Is Geometry Dash 2.2 APK free?
   • Geometry Dash is a paid game on official app stores, but APK files downloaded from unofficial sources may be available for free. However, downloading paid apps or games for free from unofficial sources is illegal and unethical, and it deprives developers of rightful compensation for their work.
8. Can I play online with Geometry Dash 2.2 APK?
   • It's unlikely that Geometry Dash 2.2 APK will support online gameplay, as online features typically require authentication through official servers, which may not be accessible in unofficial versions of the game.

Source:-
https://twitter.com/thatstraw/status/1789624772826890614?t=RSIJDZ0iwlgn0U7YVLmMbA&s=19

The toys that you'd play with for HOURS, days, and weeks!

• Lite Brite
• Lincoln Logs
• That giant Barbie head thing
• Colorforms
• Shrinky Dinks
• Giant watercolor paint box
• Sit and Spin
• Big Wheel
• Clackers
• Paddle Ball
• Gyro Wheels
• Waterfuls
• Pet Rock
• Skateboard
• Weebles
• Easy Bake oven
• Spirograph

Hey all. Long time lurker. Posting anon because work. I work at a a big box retail in a lead position. The area is for online pickups and returns but also problem solving, think customer service-lite(we cant change addresses emails or stop packages but sonethings we can do). I make the schedule for my team and just make sure they have all they need to do their job properly. We are a small team so people showing up is a huge piece of if the workday is going to go smoothly. One of my coworkers is the main issue of my burnout.
She was diagnosed with adhd as a child and believes she has grown out of it. Where as I (40f) was diagnosed 2 yrs ago. Now that I'm recognizing patterns of adhd..hers is causing a lot of issues. She has not once but twice has disappeared on us. She would just say I'm having a difficult day then call out multiple days then go on LOA for weeks. All the while being 'afraid' of losing her job. This leaves us understaffed and overwhelmed.
In my small area b/c we take returns we literally have so many piles of clothes that it will probably take 2wks to get it hung then another 2 to get it put away🤬. Yes I've reached out to other members of the store team to help but when people is the problem and the solution it becomes a difficult battle.
Now that she has come back I can't trust her to be reliable and I'm simply at my wit's end. She's being treated for all of her adhd symptoms but not thee actual adhd and I can't take it anymore. Her inability to get the main issue handled is putting me in a bind plus she's really good a weaponizing incompetence, so now when she is there I have to babysit her. My adhd mask is starting to shatter and I'm afraid she going to be on the receiving end.
TLDR: Coworkers inability to work with her adhd issues is causing her to be unreliable at work and I'm suffering from it.

So i just got a new printer the bambu A1 Combo and on the first thing i printer was this mod for the logitech shifter (G25 Shifter H Pattern Mod by Antonyart - Thingiverse) and the gates keep breaking. My current filament is old several years old and Im looking into getting some new ones and wanted something more sturdy I was looking to get Bambu labs Filiment just so i can use the RFID on my AMS lite. But I'm unsure of what I was looking into some of the Carbon Fiber filliment that bambu offer but once again not sure. any help would be great
Edit: https://imgur.com/a/tLQTJal (Shifter gates)

May 9, 2024 Dev Release 27 Greetings BlockDAG Community,
As mentioned in previous post, the next step is to start the syncing process between the nodes. Today's post is all about doing the syncing implementation in the BlockDAG project. Here's an introduction to what's the purpose of syncing is in our implementation. Syncing algorithm is designed to make sure that the particular chain is in the latest state and synced with the rest of the network by downloaded and importing new data as soon as possible. The node then steps in, either through the one of the initial synchronization methods mentioned above, and then the keep-up sync is used to download new blocks. These two methods satisfy the requirements for a network to produce a cryptocurrency. Syncing substreams involves the process of ensuring that a node's local representation of the BlockDAG is updated and aligned with the network's state, particularly focusing on specific substreams of interest to that node. This synchronization process is fundamental for maintaining consensus and coherence across a decentralized network where different nodes may have varying views of the DAG due to network latency and propagation delays.
Few types of syncing processes Now let's understand few types of syncing processes that can be used in the implementation process:
Full and light sync: By default, this is auto-sync option for the first and follow-up patterns. This algorithm starts with the current block best and downloads progressively block data from several peers in the multiple peer-to-peer streams if available. This is done so that the request will hold there till the time when they are available. Heavy nodes will fully download and execute the whole blocks while light-weighted nodes import block headers. This will be repeated repeatedly until every block is investigated from the other student until everyone has no new block to reveal. In every sync, the node has to keep the number of the block both nodes have by every peer. When peer share with us a new block or we discover new best block. Thanks to this technique when known citizen suddenly announces new information peers that are interested in it can easily react and request it. In addition to regular monitoring of the best-case blocks, we mark all the announced peer children in all branches. The synch algorithm wants to consume as much data promised by freedom modes as possible.
Steps to implement the full sync process:
Initial Block Download (IBD): We'll start by connecting to the network and downloading the entire blockchain starting from the genesis block. Fetch each block sequentially from network peers and store them locally. Transaction Verification: Validate each block and its transactions against the consensus rules (e.g., Proof of Work for Bitcoin, Proof of Stake for Ethereum) to ensure integrity. State Update: Process each transaction within the blocks to update the node's local state (e.g., account balances, contract states). Compute and store the state after processing each block. Continued Block Retrieval: Continue downloading blocks and validating transactions until reaching the current tip of the blockchain. Final Verification: Validate the entire downloaded blockchain up to the latest block to confirm consistency and correctness.
Steps to implement the light sync process:
Initial Block Header Download: Connect to the network and retrieve block headers (containing essential block information but not full transactions) from network peers. Checkpoint Block Retrieval: Identify specific checkpoint blocks at regular intervals (e.g., every 1,000 blocks) in the blockchain's history. Request full blocks for these checkpoints from network peers to ensure data integrity. State Trie Pruning: Prune unnecessary historical state trie data to reduce storage requirements. Discard transaction details not needed for current state verification. Fast Sync State Retrieval: Download recent state trie data (e.g., current account balances, contract states) from network peers without processing all historical transactions. Validation and Verification: Validate received checkpoint blocks and state trie data against consensus rules and cryptographic proofs. Ensure the integrity and correctness of the blockchain up to the latest known state. Fast sync Fast sync: The download mode is the instant one of in this mode downloads the full header history. The process of transformation of authority set operations and comes up with a most recent header is possible by that. The node checks the header chain throughput spot and saves these records. Then importing the state, a short process, starts. Each StateResponse provides a storage key, which is void for the first one. StateResponse comprises proof of storage location thus indicating where the key and all the other keys starts (but not including the key that is in the request). After running the proof trie in the storage root that is currently on target header, the node sends the next request element of StateResponse with key range that will start from that last key from the previous response. This process repeatedly carries out until the shift in trie reaches its last point. The state is then shipped to the database and the normal full/lite sync starts in your way.
Steps to implement the fast sync process:
Initialization: Initialize the node's database and networking components. Connect to peers in the BlockDAG network. Download Recent Block Headers: Initiate the synchronization process by requesting recent block headers from network peers. Start with the genesis block and progressively download block headers up to the current tip of the BlockDAG. Select Checkpoint Blocks: Identify specific checkpoint blocks at regular intervals in the BlockDAG's history (e.g., every 1,000 blocks). Request full blocks for these checkpoints from network peers to establish synchronization points. Prune Unnecessary Data: Prune unnecessary historical data from the node's local database to optimize storage usage. Discard transaction details and state trie data not required for current state validation. Retrieve Recent State Data: Download recent state trie data (e.g., account balances, contract states) corresponding to the latest checkpoint blocks. Fetch state data from network peers using efficient retrieval methods (e.g., Merkle proofs). Validate State Data: Validate the received state trie data against cryptographic proofs and consensus rules to ensure integrity. Verify the correctness and consistency of account states and other critical data. Finalize Synchronization: Complete the synchronization process by confirming that the node's local state matches the state derived from the received data. Ensure that the node has synchronized up to the latest state of the BlockDAG network. Enable Operational Mode: Transition the node into an operational mode, where it can participate in network activities such as transaction processing and block validation. Warp sync Warp sync: BFT sync also known as warp sync is a brand new technique utilized by blockchains such as Ethereum to speed up the process of logging a new node or syncing it with the latest state on the chain. Unlike the full synchronizing method of traditional thinking about every network node finishing downloading and verifying each block and transaction starting with the very first one, warp sync attempts to speed up the whole process. The process is started by the Initial Block Download (IBD) phase and it involves retrieving recent block headers from network peers. Contrary to the download of all historical raw data, the node regulates the checkpointing of those blocks in intervals whereby it only acquires specific checkpoint blocks—the historical blocks ranging at intervals. g. , they do mining every 10 minutes on the average (10 minutes is equivalent to about 100,000 blocks, 1 block in about every 10 minutes)—to form the bridge between the current state and the future one. These checkpoint points comprise a core element of the blockchain which have 'data sets' been verified by that particular points. Having been granted the checkpoint block nodes shave off the historical state trie's redundant information to ease on storage. Latterly "fast sync" mode is enabled in the the node where is it synchronize the recent state trie data (e. g. We will inherit the ability to validate and transfer funds, settle accounts, and get the state of contract without having so to much work on historical transactions.
Steps to implement the wrap sync process:
Initial Block Download (IBD) Phase: The warp sync process begins with an Initial Block Download (IBD) phase where the node starts by downloading recent block headers from peers on the network. Instead of downloading and verifying each block and transaction sequentially from the genesis block, the node focuses on retrieving the most recent block headers. Checkpoint Synchronization: Once a sufficient number of block headers are downloaded, the node identifies and retrieves checkpoint blocks. Checkpoint blocks are specific historical blocks chosen at regular intervals (e.g., every 100,000 blocks) that serve as synchronization points. Checkpoint blocks are requested in full from network peers to ensure the integrity of the blockchain up to those points. State Trie Pruning and Fast Sync: After acquiring checkpoint blocks, the node prunes unnecessary historical state trie data, reducing storage requirements. The node then initiates a "fast sync" mode where it retrieves recent state trie data (account balances, contract states, etc.) from network peers without downloading all historical transactions. Validation and Verification: As the node receives checkpoint blocks and recent state data, it validates and verifies the integrity of the blockchain up to the latest known state. The node ensures that the received state data matches the consensus rules and cryptographic proofs of the blockchain. Finalization and Node Activation: Once the node has synchronized up to the latest state of the blockchain and validated the received data, it finalizes the warp sync process. The node transitions into an operational state, where it can participate in network activities like transaction processing, block validation, and smart contract execution. Next steps After the successful implementation of the syncing progress we will shift to the implementation of mining progress. By this once the block is generated it will be sent out to other fellow miners to validate the produced blocks.
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Hi fellow entrepreneurs!
I recently launched my little design company on Etsy (modern printables and seamless patterns) and it's been pretty slow, to say the least. (Like, 2 orders slow. : )
If anyone is interested in printable wall decor and art, stationery, home organization tools and fun party printables -- please feel free to swing by and check out my work: https://shopholler.etsy.com
My question is -- does anyone else who has a small biz on Etsy have any tips for more visibility OUTSIDE of the Etsy platform? I'm on Pinterest too as HollerDesignCo and that's been driving lots of views but no sales..

Lawman
A drop of scarlet fell into the dust.
Hauke ignored the bullet hole in his side and kept reloading. There would be time to bleed later.
He sat in a battered wooden chair under an awning, with one leg draped over its arm, eyes staring intently down the dirt road. A rhythmic metal clicking came from the guns he held as he filled their cylinders with fresh shells. But his eyes never left the road. There was no need; his hands worked without thought.
Beyond the awning, the sky was bare, the town was still, and the planet’s twin suns blazed with fury. Heat shimmered off the hard-packed dirt road running through the center of Aeos, and sweat made tracks down Hauke's face through the dust. Gehenna was technically a moon, though larger than most planets, stark and strange, a waterless desert world of jagged black mountains and sunbaked hardpan on the edge of Alliance space—on the edge of nowhere.
Most who worked at Deepcore's mining facility called the moon The Withered Lands. An apt name Hauke thought, for a place of perpetual sunlight and crushing heat. A place barren of life. No where any but a witling would wish to call home.
He was only here because corporate greed put this lonely settlement on a fringe world otherwise deemed uninhabitable; corporate greed and a ready supply of desperate people - the disillusioned and the displaced, the utterly broken. For most, their lives were a legacy of misery, and they left behind a past they hoped to forget. There was never a shortage of such expendables in a galaxy riddled with crime and war. No one would miss them. No one cared. That's why the outlaws chose this shit hole to put down roots. There were vulnerable people here, a flock of sheep placidly going about their daily lives as the wolves circled, and no Alliance security to protect them. Easy pickings.
Hauke shook his head and slid another round into an empty chamber. Shame, really. These are decent folk. Better than the other sewers he’d policed.
Then he shrugged.
Good people they might be, but it didn't matter. It should, but it didn’t. They were expendable. Everyone was, after a fashion, even Hauke.
Every worker who stepped off a Deepcore transit shuttle into the dust and the heat was undeniably corporate fodder, disposable flesh to be used and discarded like soiled toilet paper. Deepcore made no bones about this practice, nor did they bother with any pretense that their workers on Gehenna were anything but company fodder. Why should they? No one with wealth enough to matter was paying attention. Nobody in the Core gave two shits about a bunch of dregs dying on the Fringe. Who would? Alliance authorities? Funny. The money-made politicians in the halls of power wouldn't waste a bucket of piss on what they deemed rats squabbling for the right to live in society's sewers, filthy beggars and low-born rabble best ignored by their betters. Why waste resources cleaning them out when, given enough time, disease and starvation would do the job for them?
Hauke snapped his pistol's cylinder up into its housing and gave it an experimental spin. The smooth, well-oiled clicking that came forth drew a smile across his sun-roughened face. It was a warm and comforting sound, like a fireplace in winter. If you took care of your guns, they would take care of you.
Hauke favored the classics over the garbage that companies were peddling these days, six shooters from an era lost in time. They were reliable, never overheated or shorted, and were effective on anything that ever walked or crawled in the mud - given the proper ammo. The thunder of their song sent even the most hardened criminals fleeing for cover.
He paused his reloading and studied the brass casing he held. It was a Spartan Arms Blacktip, called shatter rounds on the streets. They were expensive, hard to come by, and highly deadly. And illegal. The speed loaders clipped to the tac-belt circling his waist held the same rounds. Even a Treskori's thick armored hide offered little protection against these babies.
Movement caught the corner of his eye and drew his attention to the north.
A small Dazkani woman darted out of a nearby alleyway and across the street, a lavender-skinned child in tow, rushing for a two-room cabin very much like his own. Her tan robes were trimmed in black and embroidered across the shoulders in her house pattern. Each frantic step revealed flashes of light purple flesh on a muscular thigh where the robes were divided down the side.
His eyes followed her progress.
Then the cabin door slammed shut behind them, and she peered out through its only window with jet black eyes full of fear.
Hauke shook his head. Though he didn't blame the people of Aeos. They were afraid, and for a good reason. Outlaws calling themselves The Reapers, with blade and barrel and cruel ways, had taken by force what little joy these people had found and made each day a misery. Then came Hauke and his revolvers, claiming to be the answer, though they only saw another killer here to sink his teeth into their town.
Eyes watched from windows and doorways across Aeos. He could feel their itch upon his skin, too many eyes and wringing hands awaiting the coming confrontation. If the Reapers won today, they would turn their ire upon the people of Aeos. Things would get ugly. Fast. No wonder they were worried. Hauke was just one man against dozens of killers. He smiled. That almost made it an even fight.
Whatever happens today, he thought, absently running an oilcloth over his gun and his eyes over the town. These people would do well to cut their losses and make for the inner systems far from Deepcore and outlaws and the wild lawlessness of The Outer Fringe. They would live longer and be happier for it.
He took up his second pistol, its nickel finish reflecting sharp flashes of silver in the sunlight.
Brass casings fell at his feet.
Deepcore was supposed to be the shining star of the mining industry, a leader among leaders whose policies demanded quality of life for all its employees and family-first values that resonated down to the lowest janitor. A good PR story, Hauke thought. Tall tells for the gullible and chronically stupid.
Anyone with two brain cells fighting for third place should understand it was all a carefully crafted illusion, a shiny veneer overlaying the odious truth, the plots, the lust for profits, treacherous ways corps did business.
Hauke's fingers moved with practiced grace, and the clicking continued. Red dripped from his side.
How many politicians must have been bought over the years to maintain such an elaborate facade? How many innocent people were stuffed into early graves to protect the dark secrets? His frown deepened. Too many.
In his experience, corruption was a disease that most often began at the top and snaked its way down through long-sitting senators and middling managers, black tendrils of rot coiling through the layers of a midden heap. Parasites, all of them. Getting fat and rich off the blood and tears of ordinary folk who want to live in peace and enjoy what few comforts they can afford.
But Hauke knew there was no such thing on the Fringe. Not on Gehenna. Not for the dregs, anyway. His stomach twisted, and he slowly ran the oilcloth over his second gun. Not in this galaxy.
He lifted his eyes and scanned the area. Aeos was a town built with the cheapest fiberplast factory Prefabs Hauke had ever seen. The kind of flimsy boxlike structures meant only for a temporary settlement, never a permanent city. Some buildings still showed faint traces of the original terracotta red from the factory. But most gleamed bone white in the harsh sunlight, pitted and wind-worn like the skeletal remains of some long-dead titan strewn across the sand. When the town died, like those before it, Deepcore would erect another on the sands that held its corpse. Even Gehenna could not stop profits.
Off to the west, the dark silos and rumbling machinery of the vast mining operation loomed over Aeos like a cruel overlord, uncaring of their suffering and singular in its purpose. Columns of thick black smoke rose from its inner workings to stain the sky, and an endless procession of thick-hulled barges—laden with ore until their sides bulged—strained for orbit. Day and night, the Impervium ore flowed from Gehenna's mines to fatten the pockets of Deepcore's elite back in the heart of the Corporate Alliance. Here was a state-of-the-art operation save three things: no drones, no automated equipment, and no modern conveniences; Aeos was built with shithouse parts. Profits again.
Even the barges were operated by organics, with no autopilot or AI-driven software. The moon's electromagnetic something-or-other interfered with guidance systems, so they did everything the old-fashioned way. And then there was Gehenna's powdery dust. It held magnetic particles that worked their way into the delicate inner guts of electronics and advanced machinery, sparing no circuit or wire. That's why they needed flesh and blood workers to do the job—blood sacrifices laid out upon the corporate altar.
As for Aeos itself, there was little else to it. Flat-roofed cabins with tattered awnings shading tiny porches crowded either side of the road. A few dilapidated parts shops and rundown diners, a large closed-air market beside a cluster of tall water tanks beaded with sweat. A sprawling communications array. A small starport built on a nearby plateau just outside town, made hazy by blowing dust. There were no Sky Towers rising from sprawling cityscapes, or manicured parks to bring beauty to this desolate place. No holographic skyways filled the night skies with the endless glittering lights of air traffic. None of the high-tech glitz and glow he was so accustomed to seeing on even the poorest of Alliance worlds. Aeos was sterile and rundown, abandoned by hope.
But today, that changed.
Hauke glanced at the upper edge of his augmented vision. Twenty past eleven local time, Gehenna time. His jaw muscles tensed, and he climbed to his feet, spinning his pistols into their holsters.
Time to settle an old score.
All was quiet as he stepped out into the dust-blown street, the laughter of children at play gone silent and the hustle and bustle of the little mining town strangely absent. Indeed nothing stirred but the wind, which briefly transformed the approaching outlaw into a grainy silhouette etched into the swirling dust.
Threiner.
The name came to him unbidden, a harsh whisper in his thoughts. A sudden surge of heat rose in his chest, an electric quickening of the heart. This was the culmination of a decades-long search and perhaps some small comfort for an old wound that had never fully healed. He'd come here to take the outlaw back to Ryari Prime to face Alliance justice, alive or maybe dead. It didn't matter.
Behind Threiner, a massive cerulean sphere twice the size of Jupiter filled the sky. Layer upon layer of milky clouds and swirling blue eddies drifted across its surface, vibrant hues muted behind a thin white haze. It rose from behind jagged black peaks that cut across the horizon, and he had to tilt his eyes to take it all in; an immense orb haloed in shimmering silver rings spreading wide across the sky. Hyperion was its name, a titanic gas giant and the largest planet in the A-9 system. A trick of its size, or perhaps Gehenna’s atmosphere, made Hyperion appear close enough for him to touch, as though Hauke could reach out and swirl a finger in the layers.
At last!
A voice rose from the stillness of his mind. A familiar voice. Peace for your father. Peace so that we can sleep. The heat in his chest blazed into a blinding thirst for vengeance, a wildfire out of control. It tried to overwhelm him. He shook with the effort of holding it back, teetering on the edge of sanity. His hands trembled as they inched toward his guns, fingertips brushing aged ivory handles—eager to let them sing.
Why do you fight me? The voice said. He is our enemy. An outlaw. A murderous swine who's earned a thousand deaths. That it should be by your hand can only be seen as justice—a just thing for all his victims.
No…I…
Think. The voice was a silken purr, a whisper of falling gossamer across his skin. It caressed him with seduction. Think of all who cry out from the grave. They cry out for vengeance! Who would hear their silent words? Give them justice. Give them peace. Kill Threiner. Kill him now!
No! Hauke's shout was a silent snarl, teeth bared, face twitching. He would not dishonor his father's memory or his badge. It was unthinkable! He was an Alliance Marshal, a man sworn to justice like his father before him. And justice was what he meant to have. Not murder.
Save your twisted words, brother. I'll not hear them.
The voice retreated like the battering waves of a storm that suddenly lost their fury and fell back into the sea. It took all of his strength to stuff the voice back down into the hollows of his mind, where it waited, lambent eyes in the dark. You will see in time that I know you, even if you do not know yourself. We are the same, brother, the voice whispered.
When Hauke was sure he'd mastered himself, he took a step forward. Then another. Another.
There were forty feet between them when he stopped and angled his body toward the outlaw. "Surrender, Threiner," he raised his voice to carry the distance and over the low moan of the wind. It sounded strange coming from his mask, a slightly electronic resonance. "Lay down your weapon. Now."
Their eyes locked, and the outlaw only scowled.
Threiner was Treskori, so he wore no mask over those hideous reptilian features; his species required none. Their robust systems quickly adapted to nearly any environment, something humans did not share.
Without a mask, Hauke would be light-headed in less than a minute, air drunk, it was called. Nausea would rack his gut a short time later. Things would begin to dim, to shut down, starting with his ability to reason. Walking and talking would become a chore. Then he would collapse in the sand, delirious and confused, lungs gasping in the burning air. Darkness would come shortly after, a soulless void to consume his world. In the end, he would have no strength to call for help or the wits to understand what was happening to him. Not a fate to be envied.
Threiner's slitted black-and-yellow eyes bore into Hauke's, and for a tense moment, they held in a silent struggle. Neither moved or blinked, still as statues. Only the wind gave voice, twining its fingers through Hauke's shoulder-length hair and shifting the dust between his boots. Then Threiner's scaled lips slowly peeled back to reveal serrated teeth in a vile show of contempt. It was meant to frighten him and mock him, the cruel smile of a predator toying with its prey.
Hauke wasn't impressed. He'd seen his like before, many times, and they all bled the same with hot lead in their hearts.
Yet an eight-foot Treskori with the speed of a gazelle was nothing to take lightly, a genuine threat. So Hauke remained cautious in case Threiner decided to rush. The outlaw held a heavy plasma cannon at his side in one massive three-clawed fist, tapping it idly against a thick trunk of a leg. One blast from that cannon would leave a basketball-sized hole in Hauke's chest if it left anything at all.
Threiner glared at him with supreme confidence. In Treskori culture, strength and size were the ultimate deciding factors, especially in battle. Yet even with a Treskori's great strength, that weapon—typically found mounted on assault vehicles—would be slow to wield, slow in a fight where speed mattered. Hauke resisted the urge to smile. Speed kills.
Threiner's eyes narrowed into suspicious slits, following Hauke's eyes down to the plasma cannon, then snapping back up. A sneer that would have frozen helium slowly spread across his face. There was no armor or personal shielding that could defend against that weapon. And Threiner knew it.
Speed kills.
Hauke's hands drifted to the weathered leather holsters belted low on his hips and the nickel-plated revolvers waiting within. Immaculate they were, with quick-draw barrels and feather lite triggers for rapid fire. Their song was blood and death, and he had no doubt they would sing it soon. Engraved In fancy script along each barrel were the pistols' names, Justice and Virtue, exquisite artistry by the hand of a master gunsmith. These rare treasures were passed to him by his father with a lineage tracing to the days of his father's great-grandfather and beyond. A time when outlaws roamed the untamed west, and lawmen hunted them wherever they hid.
Threiner turned his head slowly, deliberately keeping one evil eye on Hauke, and spit a huge gob of green-tinged saliva into the dust, then snapped his glare back into place.
"Be smart, Threiner," Hauke said, though every inch of him hummed on the razor's edge of violence, and every fiber hoped Threiner would twitch that cannon in the wrong direction. "And you might live to see the outside of a prison cell again one day." The mouthpieces back in the Core wanted Threiner brought back alive if possible. Alive was better for the holovids the senators wanted to run. But if Threiner even breathed wrong, Hauke would not hesitate.
"No surrender, human," Threiner's deep hiss was full of malice, and vast musculature rippled across his shirtless bulk. "Pain. Much pain for you." From his great height, Raim Threiner glared down at Hauke as though looking at an insect he meant to crush under his boot—a naturally occurring, ever-present scowl that twisted his ugly face beyond hideous.
Threiner turned his head and spat again. "Pain," he said, scraping the sharp tip of an ebon claw across his throat scales. "All pain for you." Threiner's massive plasma rifle still hung idle at his side, barrel pointed at the ground, unmoving. But his free hand clenched into a fist. Sunlight glittered off thousands of small granular scales covering his skin like viridian glass, and a low growl issued deep within his throat, an ominous rumble that would have sent lesser beings running. But Hauke had seen it all before, and he stood firm, his jaw set, hands poised and ready. Whatever was going to happen would happen. Nothing could change that now.
Abruptly Hauke realized that Threiner was doing his best to hide a nervous edge. And rightly so. Confidence was a necessity if you wished to stay alive in this business. But blind arrogance would get you killed.
Most in his business had heard the tales of the human Lawman with lightning in his hands and ice in his veins. Most believed it was nothing more than a fairy tale, something cooked up by the Badges to keep little outlaws awake at night. Yet something must have clicked in Raim's little lizard brain. Perhaps it was the bullet-riddled bodies of his gang strewn about and already rigid in the sunlight, posing as corpses pose, that made him understand the legendary Lawman now stood before him.
"Surrender," Hauke repeated, his tone hard and flat. The icy look in his eyes said there would be no further chances. His hands hovered over his guns. Sweat stained the crown of his wide-brimmed bolero. Red dripped down his side. A sudden wind rippled folds into his shirt, kicking up a dirty haze. Everything went quiet. He could hear his heart, feel its fire surging down to his fingertips. His eyes narrowed, but he willed himself not to blink.
His hands itched to rip the guns from their holsters and let them sing. It would be so easy. Threiner wouldn't have time to process that Hauke had pulled steel before he died. His hands trembled. But he would give the outlaw a chance to lay down his weapon. He always did.
His father once told him that a man's honor was all he truly possessed. All else could be taken away or destroyed. Material possessions and riches would become someone else's when you died. In time, even your spouse. But your honor, your legacy, was yours to keep forever. This was made all the more important in a galaxy rife with treachery. A man's honor was sacred. His father had believed that, and so did Hauke. He had killed outlaws, true, more than a few: humans, Treskori, even Jasei. If they broke the law, killed, raped, or pillaged across The Alliance, he hunted them down. Most had surrendered peacefully.
For those foolish enough to pull on him, things had always ended badly; this he did not deny. He was ruthless and cunning, as one must be to survive hunting the galaxy's worst. He would not waste time with denials. He would not pretend to be righteous. He had never found a sense of pride or pleasure in the violence. He was a professional. He did not kill for joy. He only killed when given no choice. Even Raim Threiner, his father's killer, deserved his day in court. That was justice. That was how the system worked. He would bring this vile creature back alive if he could. The rest was up to Threiner.
"No surrender, human," Threiner repeated, breaking into Hauke's thoughts and rolling his broad angular head atop an even wider neck. Only seconds had passed since he first spoke. A transverse crest of bony spikes connected by a thin membrane of leathery flesh fanned up across the crown of his skull, rattling and bristling with anger. "Much pleasure to kill you, Marshal scum shit."
His response did not surprise Hauke.
The plasma rifle started up, and Hauke's hands flashed. There was thunder and smoke, time slowed.
Threiner lay on his back when the smoke cleared, slitted eyes staring blindly at Gehenna's twin suns. Four massive holes leaked green down his chest and pooled in the sand. Hauke's pistols roared again, and two more holes erupted in Threiner's head. Better to be sure than pay the price of folly.
Guess the senators weren't going to get their holovid back in the Core. Well, piss on them. Hauke was a lawman, and there were no politicians here.
People emerged from their shacks, peering plaintively up and down the streets. Their eyes were still fearful, but something else kindled behind them.
Hauke turned, gleaming pistols still in hand and lifted his voice to carry.
“People of Aeos,” he scanned their faces, and saw hope dawning where before there was only despair. “Raim is dead. The Reapers are dead. You are free.”

I have a 1080p TV, and am trying out Kodi, mostly with Fen or Fen Lite, and RD. I'm using a Raspberry Pi 3, for the moment, with OpenElec.
Some of the selections I'm given for e.g., TV show episodes of the Mentalist, play with stuttering video, very slow. I go back and select a different source and it plays fine.
I suspect there are some video encodings that the Pi3 doesn't do well? I've tried to look closer at the details of the selections I'm offered, but I don't know what's what, and I haven't figured out a pattern between what works and what doesn't. Do you think I'm on the right track?
I do have a Pi 4, but I'm using it for something else and it has a case fan. I also have an Onn 4K device, but I have a remote for the pi that has the qwerty keyboard on the reverse side that is really handy for setting up kodi addons. If I was to make that work with the Onn 4K, I would at least need a OTG cable I think, and I'm still not certain it would work. When I select the right source file, the Pi 3 seems to perform well enough.
Thanks in advance for help!

Update: Ordered and done. Thanks all.
Hello, I am looking to order 4 copies of a snap-on hook for my coworker who uses forearm crutches. Due date in less than 2 weeks (need it by May 21). This pattern would be perfect: https://www.printables.com/model/153188-crutch-bag-hook I would like each hook in a different color, like black, pink, purple, and blue. Colors are not a priority but bright colors preferred. Please send a quote including postage cost. (I recently deleted my post history for privacy reasons but I am a real person, I swear. Thank you!)